Translation guide
A senior naval rank, equivalent to a three-star admiral in many navies. In Japanese, the term is 海将 (かいしょう) in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), or 海軍中将 (かいぐんちゅうじょう) in historical Imperial Japanese Navy contexts.
Referring to the rank of Vice-Admiral in the present-day Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The official JMSDF rank equivalent to Vice-Admiral. Used for the commander of the Self-Defense Fleet or regional districts.
He was promoted to Vice-Admiral.
Referring to the rank of Vice-Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy (pre-1945).
The rank in the Imperial Japanese Navy equivalent to Vice-Admiral. Often encountered in historical contexts.
Isoroku Yamamoto was a Vice-Admiral.
Referring to a Vice-Admiral in a foreign navy, or using the term generically.
海将 is the current JMSDF rank, while 海軍中将 is the historical Imperial Japanese Navy rank. Using 海軍中将 for a modern JMSDF officer would be anachronistic. For foreign navies, 海軍中将 or simply 中将 is used depending on context.
When addressing a Vice-Admiral directly, use their title + name, e.g., 海将の田中 (かいしょうのたなか) or simply 田中海将 (たなかかいしょう). In very formal situations, 海将閣下 (かいしょうかっか) might be used, but this is rare.
Explicitly 'navy Vice-Admiral', used for clarity when the service branch is not obvious.
He is a Royal Navy Vice-Admiral.